Ministry of Railways Designates Land Acquisition Authority for Andhra Pradesh ROB Projects

The Ministry of Railways, through its South Central Railway division, issued a Notification, S.O. 1700(E), on April 7, 2025, which came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on April 11, 2025. This statutory instrument was issued by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (7A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989. The notification formally authorized specific officers to act as the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition concerning designated Special Railway Projects. Specifically, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Gudivada, was empowered to undertake these functions for projects located in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The projects detailed include the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) in lieu of Level Crossing No. 324 at Km. 452/31-33 between Gannavaram - Peddaavutapalli stations, Level Crossing No. 328A at Km. 458/32-34 between Pedda Avutapalli - Telaprolu stations, and Level Crossing No. 331 at Km. 463/2-4 between Telaprolu - Nuzividu stations. These authorizations are crucial for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of these railway infrastructure developments.

The legislative intent behind this notification was to streamline and expedite the process of land acquisition for critical railway infrastructure projects. By designating a specific Competent Authority, the Central Government aimed to ensure efficient and legally sound acquisition of land necessary for the construction of Road Over Bridges. These bridges are essential for enhancing safety by eliminating existing level crossings, thereby reducing accidents and improving the flow of both rail and road traffic. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby authorizes the officer mentioned in the column (5) of the Table below to perform the functions of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition in respect of the Special Railway Project as mentioned in column (2) of the Table for execution, maintenance, management and operation...” This measure addresses the practical requirement for a dedicated authority to handle the complexities of land acquisition, which is often a critical path item in large-scale infrastructure development. The notification ensures that the identified railway projects, which are vital for regional connectivity and safety, can proceed without undue delays related to land procurement.

Keywords: Railways Act, Land Acquisition, Road Over Bridge, Railway Projects, Andhra Pradesh, Krishna District, Competent Authority, Ministry of Railways, Infrastructure

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Krishna